Aidan Corr’s Junior Rugby Round Up As Week 2 Beckons

AWAY from all the hype of professional rugby, six Limerick junior clubs will have their sights set on league victories on Sunday next. The opening series of games of the Munster Junior League season got underway last Sunday with four of the six in action recording victories.

In division one Richmond had a bonus point victory over visitors Clonakilty, Abbeyfeale had four points to spare against Galbally while Newcastle West came away from Crosshaven with a hard-earned 11-23 win. In division two St Mary’s also got their campaign off to a winning start with a home victory over Tralee.

Next Sunday Thomond will entertain Richmond in Fitzgerald Park. The royal blues’ return to junior ranks after 20 seasons in AIL gives them a new challenge. They went down last Sunday away to a Willie Staunton led Kilfeacle but the 25-17 losing scoreline indicates that there are better things to come for Thomond as this league progresses.

Newcastle West travelled to Crosshaven and won 23-11. The West had to dig deep after leading 13-0 at the break. Crosshaven took advantage of the wind and the ‘hill’ to stage a revival as the second half developed and clawed the deficit back to two points, 11-13. Michael Bourke scored a brace of tries for Newcastle West with the ever-reliable Sean Herlihy kicking the rest of the points.

Kilfeacle and District 25, Thomond 17: It was level pegging at 7-7 early in the opening half but a second Kilfeacle converted try and a penalty saw the city side trail 17-7 at the break. That lead increased to 22-7 soon after the break before Peter Connolly got in for a Thomond try that cut the lead to ten points.

An unconverted try for the Tipperary side pushed the lead to 22-12, a third try for the royal blues, Evan O’Carroll scoring, gave them hope at 22-17 but Kilfeacle deprived them of a losing bonus point near the end when they landed a penalty.

Galbally 10, Abbeyfeale 16: These two rivals always serve up exciting fare and Sunday’s joust didn’t  disappoint the decent attendance. Derry O’Connor was once again Abbeyfeale’s saviour, converting Corey O’Sullivan’s try and adding three penalties. ‘Feale held on for an away victory that sets them up for the visit of Mallow to Abbeyfeale next Sunday.

Richmond 32, Waterpark 22: The home side won this game by a ten point margin but they had to show all their skills against a determined Waterford side. It was close from the kick-off, Stephen Collins scoring a try for the Canal Bank side, converted by Brian Mullins but Waterpark levelled matters minutes later. Tries from  Brian Maher, Keith McCarthy and Brian Mullins, and the kicking accuracy of the latter, eased Richmond to victory.

MJL2: St Mary’s 30, Tralee 3: This was a very good performance from the ‘Saints’ and gives hints that they could hold their own in this division. They led 16-3 at half time, Andy McKenzie scoring a try and newcomer Jude Marlo Pendejito added a conversion and three penalties. The second half was one-sided with St Mary’s getting tries from Paul O’Loughlin and Darragh Kerley, both converted by Jude Marlo.

Fixtures, Sunday, MJL1, Abbeyfeale v Mallow, NCW v Skibbereen, St Senan’s v Galbally, Thomond v Richmond. MJL2, Kilfeacle v St Mary’s. All 2.30 kick-offs.